Illini fall at No. 21 Penn State

Sunday

Long list of mistakes leave the Illini with three-game losing streak and limping into bye week.

Illinois senior kicker Derek Dimke waited for a chance like this.

Last play of the game. The pressure's on him.

"It doesn't get any better,'' said Dimke, the former Rockford Boylan star. "That's a kick I have to make.''

When the 42-yard field-goal attempt hit the right goal post and bounced back onto the field, the Illini fell 10-7 at No. 21 Penn State Saturday in a snowstorm that left more than 30,000 ticket left unused on a day when Penn State coach Joe Paterno set the major-college record with 409 career victories.

"I was trying to kick it straight, and it went a little right,'' Dimke said. "I've got to put it through. Simple as that.''

After giving up the go-ahead touchdown with 1 minute 8 seconds left on a 3-yard run by Penn State tailback Silas Redd, the Illini moved it 58 yards in seven plays to set up Dimke's kick.

"Usually he's money on that kick,'' said Illini coach Ron Zook.

The Illini displayed the kind of effort that wins most games, but they littered the soggy Beaver Stadium turf with mistakes that left Illinois with a three-game losing streak heading into the bye week. Illinois fell to 6-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten. Illinois doesn't play again until hosting Michigan on Nov. 12.

"We made too many mistakes, particularly in the first half,'' Zook said. "The team that made the fewest mistakes probably won. That was Penn State.

"We did a lot of really good things. We played hard but did things, particularly in the first half, that put us behind the 8-ball.''

The Illini played with a different intensity level than losses to Ohio State and Purdue. The Illini defense dominated Penn State for three quarters, and the offense put the Illini ahead with a 64-yard drive for 7-0 lead in the third quarter, when quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase connected with receiver Spencer Harris on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

"With that attitude, you give yourself a chance to beat anybody in the country,'' said Scheelhaase.

So it hurts that much worse when its lost.

"When you give it your all, it kind of hurts more,'' said Illini safety Trulon Henry. "I was upset with the team and myself the last two games as far as effort and energy.''

With the season going down the drain, the Illini take the next three days off for the only real break since the opener.

"It's a good time for a bye week after a tough loss like that,'' Scheelhaase said. "A bye week is needed to regroup. It's something we have to do.

"We know we're a good team. We believe that.''

Effort is one thing. At some point, it still comes down to making plays. Instead, the Illini made mistakes.

After the Illini recovered a fumble on the Penn State 25-yard line with 2:06 left in the first half, they moved it to the Penn State 4-yard line. On third and 2, running back Jason Ford charged into the end zone for an apparent touchdown, but the play was called back because of a illegal motion on fullback Jay Prosch.

Following an incompletion, the Illini failed on a 26-yard field-goal attempt when holder Tim Russell bobbled a good snap before his pass was intercepted.

"The drive that killed us more than anything was the last drive of the first half,'' said offensive coordinator Paul Petrino. "We scored a touchdown, an easy walk-in touchdown. We get a penalty for motion.

"We didn't get it done. We have to score more points.''

Illinois didn't give up a point until allowing a field goal with 7:00 left. The 30-yarder was set up when Illini freshman Justin DuVernois suffered a catastrophe for the second straight game. After mishandling a snap and failing to get a punt off against Purdue last week, DuVernois had one blocked and recovered at the Illinois 31.

Trailing 7-3, Penn State went 80 yards in 10 plays in 1:57 for the go-ahead score. The Nittany Lions converted on fourth and 6 from the Illini 32 when cornerback Justin Green was beaten on a double move, then called for the interference when he didn't have any help over the top from safety Supo Sanni.

"I thought it was a good play myself,'' Zook said.

Penn State (8-1, 5-0) won its seventh straight game.

"One thing about this football team, at times we struggle, but there's a lot of character and caring for each other and they're really good competitors,'' said Paterno.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.

Illinois report card
Offense -- C-
In a battle of two of the 10 defenses in country, the Illini offense struggled to make plays. The Illini wasted an opportunity late in the first half. It came back to haunt them.
Defense -- B-
The Illini defense didn't give up a point for five quarters. When the game was on the line, the Illini couldn't stop an offense that had done little all day.
Special teams -- F
A blocked punt, a missed field goal, a botched hold on another field-goal attempt. Not a good day for special teams.
Overall -- C
Illinois needed a win to stop a season crumbling after its first 6-0 start in 50 years. The Illini get three days off, then they need to get back to work to eliminate the mistakes. Effort was there, but this one didn't do anything but frustrate the fan base even more.

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